A new governor has been appointed to Wormwood Scrubs prison amid allegations of assaults on inmates by staff.

Dr David Wilson, a former assistant governor of the prison, recalls extreme racism and sexism (3' 35")

Stephen Moore is to take up his position on March 30 at the troubled west London jail which has been without a permanent governor since the end of last year.

He is currently in charge of the medium-security Albany prison on the Isle of Wight.

Mr Moore will fill the gap created when the former governor Joe Mullens left Wormwood Scrubs prison for a private sector prison firm last December.

The current acting governor, Michael Gordon, will revert to his previous position of deputy governor.

Chairman of the Board of Visitors, John Jarvie, says allegations must be cleared up

Mr Moore's appointment comes as the Prison Service launched an inquiry into "very serious" allegations of beatings by some staff on inmates.

A critical report about the prison was then published on Thursday by the Board of Visitors - the body that oversees prison conditions.

It too expressed concern about numerous allegations that inmates were being physically abused by staff.

The BBC's Jon Silverman told Radio 4 that Stephen Moore is known for his strong personality (35")

On Thursday morning, staff at the prison staged a walkout in protest at the allegation, and what they saw as "a lack of support from local management".

Mr Gordon was forced to call an emergency staff meeting and agreed to let staff in the segregation unit work elsewhere during the inquiry, which will be headed by another "senior and experienced" governor.
 

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